Empowering the Youth of Tomorrow PHOTOS COURTESY OF 360 YOUTH SERVICES
There are often moments that
preventable when that depression is channeled and dealt with propermany people feel alone in their struggles. Nearly 80% of the indi- ly. Depression is a topic that I have viduals affected by depression do highlighted in this publication in the past. This is due to the fact that not receive treatment. Major dethe topic hits very close to home. pressive disorder affects approxAt 19, I was facing some of my imately 14.8 Million adults (6.7%) darkest moments and attempted of the US population 18 years and suicide. Yet, thankfully I am here older. Depression is the cause of today to talk about my struggles, over 2/3 of the 30,000 reported bring awareness and most imporsuicides in the US each year. The tantly highlight organizations that reality is that many of the people are fighting a hard battle, but doing facing issues such as depression or who may have struggles in their amazing work right in our own neighborhoods. One organization life, feel quite powerless. These statistics are dire and are in particular who helped me along a reality of the American daily life. my journey is 360 Youth Services: an organization dedicated to Many people have been affected providing life-changing services by or know someone affected by suicide or depression. Yet, it can be through prevention education,
By: Jennifer Lezan
counseling and shelter. Organizations such as 360 Youth Services helped me take back my power and realize that I was never alone, nor was I ever powerless. The idea of empowerment is so imperative to the growth and development of today’s youth. When I think about the word empowerment, I am reminded of the struggles of my youth. The battles I went through growing up in the inner city to a single mom, the gangs and abuse I witnessed and the strength I gained by taking control of the direction of my life. I was able to give myself power through knowledge, through hardships and by the experiences I had and the lessons I learned. That’s not to say that I